***Tips for Controlling Your Rate of Speed in Public Speaking

Nothing is more frustrating than listening to a public speaker deliver a speech or presentation at 100 mph. A few minutes at this speed is one thing; however, 50 minutes or more at that pace can easily lose your listeners. Talking too fast is tiring for both you as the speaker and your audience as well.

2 other factors that you should take into account regarding speaking too quickly are:

1. the faster you talk, the more likely you are to trip over your words; and,
2. if you have an accent, you are twice as likely not to be understood because of both your speed and your possible lack of clear diction or articulation.

One method of learning how to control your speed is to read in time with a professional reader. Get an audio book as well as a copy of it in written form. Practice reading out loud in time with the professional. This is a wonderful exercise that can make quite a difference. At first, you will think that you are talking too slowly. If you record yourself, however, you will discover that your slower speed is definitely not too slow and that you sound ‘normal.’

Often those who speak too fast are unable to hear it unless they are recorded. Your inner ear is comfortable with your quick pace. Listen to yourself on a recording and your outer ear will recognize that you are too fast. [Your inner ear is how you hear yourself; your outer ear is how you hear your voice on your voicemail, for instance. Incidentally, your voice on recording equipment is how everyone else recognizes you as well.]

Another excellent means of regulating your speed is to take a course in voice training. This type of training will show you how to find your true voice. In doing so, you will have to slow down: the breathing that you will learn will give you total control over your voice as well as your speed. Please understand that I am not advocating that you speak slowly – you can do 75 mph and still be understood. By the way, if I have only 5 minutes to talk about my business, my speed will be somewhat faster than if I have 20 minutes to spare!

You may think that your pace in talking is not important but in today’s hectic business world, in which people want an answer immediately if not yesterday, they do not want to have to ask you to slow down or to repeat yourself.

Take control of your speed and let the rest of the world understand you the 1st time you say it.